Carolina Panthers

Last week's bad loss to the rival New Orleans Saints, notwithstanding, the Carolina Panthers are having a great season. Before this loss, the team reeled off eight straight wins and were the hottest team in the National Football League. They've garnered national attention and prime time television slots. We'll look back over the history of the team, talk about why they are so improved at look at what to expect for the rest of the season with a journalist who has written a Panther fan's guide and the teams play-by-play announcer. Join us when we kickoff another edition of Charlotte Talks.

Freezing rain is expected in much of western North Carolina Sunday. Ice storm warnings and winter storm warnings have been issued for much of the state north of I-40 and west of I-85. The warning includes Winston-Salem, and Greensboro. Temperatures were expected to drop to freezing Sunday morning as the rain starts, and up to a quarter-inch of ice could collect on trees and power lines. There is a freezing rain advisory south of that area for places like Asheville, Hickory and Durham. Freezing rain is likely there, before temperatures rise back above freezing.

The Carolina Panthers shook off a Monday night hangover, picked up the pace in the second half against the Miami Dolphins and set the stage for a repeat performance from Comeback Cam.

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton didn’t have a signature drive to win a game in the final minute in the first 41 games of his career.

Now he has two in seven days.

Newton’s 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Greg Olsen with 43 seconds left lifted the Panthers to a 20-16 victory against Miami on Sunday in front of a crowd of 60,156 and a lot of empty orange seats at Sun Life Stadium.

Uptown Charlotte was festive last night before, during and after the Carolina Panthers’ first Monday Night Football game in five years. The Panthers defeated the New England Patriots 24-20 at Bank of America Stadium to improve their record to 7-3. It was the Panthers’ sixth win in a row.

What a difference five games can make. The Carolina Panthers started the season 1-3 and many were calling for the firing of coach Ron Rivera. Now, after winning five games in a row, the team is poised to make a playoff run. It's safe to say that tonight's Monday Night Football game against the Patriots is the hottest ticket in town.

Charlotte Observer Sports Columnist Tom Sorensen joined us to discuss the turnaround for the Panthers.

Thursday’s mayoral debate in Charlotte was largely routine, but one comment in particular has drawn some scrutiny. City councilman and Democratic candidate Patrick Cannon denied involvement in the city’s controversial closed door discussions with the Carolina Panthers earlier this year, but city records tell a different tale.

The Carolina Panthers just got their first win of the season, rousing the fans of our biggest franchise. Across town the newly minted UNC Charlotte 49ers started their inaugural football season with two wins, delighting boosters and fans and, next spring, baseball comes to uptown Charlotte. These ball clubs bring excitement, hope and exposure to the region but at what cost? The Panthers asked for millions in public funds to finance stadium renovations and the Knights got public financing for the new uptown ball park. What is the relationship between sports teams and the cities they play in? A major conference is taking place in town to ask that question, but first they tackle it with us.

The Charlotte City Council heard – but did not respond to – pointed accusations Monday night that they violated their own ethics policy in negotiating behind closed doors with the Carolina Panthers to spend tax dollars on Bank of America Stadium renovations.

Most of the Charlotte City Council's debate and deliberations about spending tax dollars on a renovation of Panthers' Stadium happened behind closed doors. That's pretty common when a city is hashing out economic incentives. But this case stands out because the Panthers were given unprecedented access to the council's process.